Your Data Is the New Currency and Everyone’s Trying to Spend It
Why awareness about data misuse is more crucial than ever
- In an age where every click, swipe, and search is recorded, your personal information has quietly become one of the most valuable commodities on Earth. From social media apps and online shopping sites to digital wallets and banks, nearly every service you use collects data often far beyond what most people realize.
- India’s new Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) gives users more control over how their data is stored and shared, but experts say public awareness remains dangerously low.
The Hidden Trade Behind Everyday Convenience
Whenever you sign up for an app or make a digital payment, you usually give access to your name, phone number, location, spending habits, and even behavioral data such as what time you wake up, what you buy, and how long you stay online.
While this data helps companies improve user experience or target ads, it’s also a potential goldmine for misuse.
- Some firms sell user data to marketing agencies without clear consent.
- Fraudsters use leaked data to craft convincing phishing messages.
- Fake investment and marriage scams have also used stolen databases to identify high income professionals.
“People often assume that if a company looks reputable, their data is safe,” says cybersecurity expert Anjali Menon. “But breaches happen even in large organizations. Awareness is the only real protection.”
The Risk Isn’t Just Online It’s Financial
- Banks and payment apps store sensitive information like Aadhaar, PAN, and account details. Even a small leak can allow criminals to commit identity theft or unauthorized transactions.
- In recent months, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau and CERT In (India’s national cyber agency) have issued multiple alerts about scammers using stolen KYC data to defraud citizens.
- A 2025 survey by the Internet Freedom Foundation found that 64% of Indians don’t read privacy policies, and 70% have reused the same password across multiple platforms making breaches much easier.
Why Awareness Matters
Awareness isn’t just about fear it’s about empowerment.
If users understand what rights they have, they can take action when their data is misused. The new DPDP law gives you the right to:
- Know how your data is being used.
- Withdraw consent for data sharing.
- Request deletion of your personal data from apps and websites.
- File complaints with the Data Protection Board of India if companies violate your rights.
“Data literacy should be taught like digital hygiene as essential as learning to wash your hands,” says Menon.
What You Can Do
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
- Enable two factor authentication on all financial and social accounts.
- Revoke permissions for apps you no longer use.
- Avoid saving card details on e-commerce sites.
- Stay alert for suspicious links or calls requesting OTPs or KYC updates.
The Bottom Line
As India grows into a trillion dollar digital economy, data is the new oil but unlike oil, it’s yours.
The more aware citizens are of their data rights, the harder it becomes for corporations or scammers to misuse their trust.
Awareness isn’t just protection, it’s power.
